Talking to Terrorists: How to End Armed Conflicts

Description

An inside look at the subterranean exchanges that occur between governments and terrorist organisations. Across the world governments proclaim that they will never 'negotiate with evil'. And yet they always have and always will. From jungle clearings to stately homes and anonymous airport hotels, Talking to Terrorists puts us in the room with the terrorists, secret agents and go-betweens who seek to change the course of history. Jonathan Powell has spent nearly two decades mediating between governments and terrorist organisations. Drawing on conflicts from Colombia and Sri Lanka to Palestine and South Africa, this optimistic, wide-ranging, authoritative book is about how and why we should talk to terrorists. 'Essential reading' Independent 'Fascinating' Sunday Times Now includes a new Afterword - Talking to ISIL *Perfect for fans of The Looming Tower*

Jonathan Powell has spent half a lifetime talking to people and organisations labelled as terrorists. He runs Inter Mediate, a London-based charity for negotiation and mediation that focuses on the most difficult, complex and dangerous conflicts, where other organisations are unable to operate. In 1997 he met Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness and became instrumental in negotiating peace in Northern Ireland. In 2008 he suggested publicly that western governments should open talks with the Taliban, Hamas and al-Qaeda. Today, he works on different armed conflicts around the world and is the UK Prime Minister's special envoy to Libya. He is the author of two books, Great Hatred, Little Room and The New Machiavelli. He lives in London with his wife and two daughters.

Essential reading for all parties in conflict -- Patrick Cockburn * Independent * Fascinating -- Michael Ignatieff * Sunday Times * This is an inspiring book. You'll enter the New Year shaking hands with all. -- Kirsty Brimelow * The Times * This is an unusual, indeed a unique, book -- Oliver Miles * Guardian * The book is an enthralling case study of the art, in which Powell carefully establishes his argument for why dialogue with terror groups is usually necessary -- Anthony Loyd * New Statesman * It is a witty, light-footed, anecdote-rich history of the recent art of talking to terrorists -- Justin Webb * The Times * Thoughtful, well-structured, intelligent and well-informed -- Conor Gearty * Irish Times * Intelligent and insightful book on conflict resolution -- Andrew Lynch * Sunday Business Post *